David Trimble finds himself under attack from the DUP and from his own party. But hes not the only thing under fire  the Good Friday agreement faces a huge test this week, writes Liam Clarke

Robert Coulter grumbled as he trudged along a North Antrim lane in search of his airborne leader, David Trimble. “Organising this party is like herding mice at a crossroads,” he muttered.

Trimble was touring counties Down and Antrim in a chartered helicopter. At £400 an hour, it was a luxury beyond the pockets of most political parties.

At Ahoghill, a loyalist village near Ballymena, a gaggle of red-faced countrymen stood rubbing their hands against the cold as they waited for a morale-boosting flying visit from the leader of Ulster Unionism. Nearby, a DUP minibus was spotted cruising — Jaws-like — along the deserted streets.

At the last minute, the locals were told of a change to Trimble’s plan. He would not make it to Ahoghill. Instead, his supporters would have to come to him. And so, Coulter, a portly retired clergyman with an infectious smile, had the task of chivying everyone along